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Water Filtration FAQs
We recommend backwashing your filter before first use, when your flow rate begins to diminish, before prolonged storage, and when you are ready to start using your filter again. Backwashing your filter after storage is a great way to re-wet the fibers and restore the flow rate before use.
The frequency of cleaning depends on how dirty the water is. With relatively clear water, backwashing may only be necessary every 1,000 gallons whereas with extremely turbid or muddy water, backwashing may be required every 10 gallons. Nevertheless, backwashing is an extremely simple process and takes only a minute.
The Sawyer filter does remove taste that comes from bacteria, dirt, and green matter. However, the filter does NOT remove iron, sulfur, other chemicals, or simple compounds.
Taste can be masked by using flavor additives like Gatorade or crystal light, but we recommend adding the flavor additives to the water after it has been filtered. Standard Sawyer filters are not made with charcoal. While other portable filters have charcoal, they lack in the amount of media and adequate dwell time. Therefore, they only remove small amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, etc.
No, the filters do not remove metals, chemicals, pesticides, VOCs, hydrocarbons, or salt.
At this point we do not know what the lifetime limitations of the fibers are. We have working filters that have been in continuous use for 20+ years and have filtered hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. With proper cleaning and if stored in a cool dry place out of direct UV light, our filters should last indefinitely as Sawyer’s fibers are so robust, they can be backwashed and reused perpetually with no expensive cartridges to replace… ever.
Our .1 Micron Filters can withstand temperatures ranging from 32-140°F. If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing. When sleeping, keep it in your sleeping bag next to your body. Since there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing after initial wetting, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.
No, the filters will not remove salt.
The optimal pressure for our filters is 20 psi. At 30 psi they will develop stress cracks and burst over time, and at 40 psi they will burst.
All our filters are designed to take out the harmful pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa and cysts which are the things that make you sick from the water, but tastes, colors and odors, which are dissolved solids, will pass through the filter. This includes fluoride, chlorine, tannins, chlorophyll or anything that is in solution like coffee, sugar, salts, electrolytes, or flavorings.
Here’s how they differ. Although the Micro and the Mini are based on the Squeeze filter, the Micro is half the length of the Squeeze while the Mini is about half the width. While the Squeeze weighs ~3 oz., the Micro and the Mini weigh in at ~2 oz. each. Based on the internal fibers, the Mini will need to be backwashed more often than the Micro which will need to be backwashed more often than the Squeeze. Similarly, the flow rate of the Squeeze will be faster than the Micro which will be faster than the Mini.
The Squeeze, the Micro and the Dual-Threaded Mini all come with a flip-top cap on one end and are dual-threaded whereas the standard Mini is threaded on only one side. So, the Squeeze, the Micro and the DT Mini have more versatility as they can be used with all our adapters as well as the cleaning coupling, while the standard Mini has barbs on both sides so you don't have to have the adapter to put it inline.
For a replacement syringe, you can find a 50 ml syringe at most medical, hardware, or drug stores.
As for compatibility with tubing and threading, we are compatible with ¼ inch inner diameter tubing and 28 mm threading.
The gaskets can be found on our website under “filter accessories”. If you’re looking to find one quickly, it is 0.125 inches thick (3.15 mm) with an outer diameter of 0.985 inches (25 mm) and an inner diameter of 0.59 inches (15 mm).
If you are experiencing leaking from the intake end of the filter, it is likely due to a worn gasket. Gaskets can be easily damaged by over-tightening filters onto pouches or bottles. The threads on the filter are shorter than people might expect and can be unintentionally over-tightened in pursuit of a tight seal. The correct way to attach the filter to the pouch or bottle is to finger-tighten it, tightening just until you feel some resistance. Over-tightening can also cause a hairline crack which widens over time.
While our pouches are designed to be durable, they are certainly not indestructible and as such are not covered under the Squeeze warranty. However, replacement pouches as well as other parts are available for purchase on our website and through many of our distributors. Aside from the pouches that come with the kits, our filters are all designed to work with standard 28 mm threads found on most plastic soda bottles around the world, including brands like Smart Water, Dasani, Propel, Pepsi and premium pouches like CNOC.
Sawyer pouches are designed to withstand up to 7 PSI of pressure before bursting. This in most cases allows for a large amount of water to be used before filter cleaning is necessary. Therefore, the pouches will never burst so long as the filters are reasonably clean. However, most people are capable of generating more than 7 PSI of pressure, and if the filter is not clean, they can easily burst the pouch by squeezing too hard.
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